Removable rotor blade tip

Abstract

One or more embodiments are directed to a rotor blade tip for a rotor blade, in particular for a rotor blade of a wind power installation, which is in the form of an independent portion which can be connected to the rotor blade and has a first connecting surface directed in the direction of the rotor blade to be connected. For making the connection to the rotor blade provided at the connecting surface are first guide element with a guide direction when making the connection to the rotor blade and first locking element for fixing the rotor blade tip to the rotor blade as first component parts of a connecting mechanism.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotor blade tip for connecting to a rotor blade of a wind power installation, the rotor blade tip comprising:
 a first connecting surface facing a direction of the rotor blade to be connected and for making the connection to the rotor blade, the connecting surface including:
 first guide means having a guide direction for making the connection to the rotor blade; and 
 first locking means for fixing the rotor blade tip to the rotor blade when the first guide means makes the connection to the rotor blade. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 1  wherein the first guide means comprises at least one plug element arranged parallel to the guide direction. 
     
     
       3. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 1  wherein the first locking means includes a projection as a first connecting element for making a releasable, positively locking connection to a corresponding second connecting element on the rotor blade. 
     
     
       4. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 3  wherein the projection is arranged centrally on the first connecting surface and has a projection surface parallel to the guide direction. 
     
     
       5. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 4  wherein the projection surface has at least one opening having a shape that is complementary to an opening of the second connecting element. 
     
     
       6. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 3  wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element each have an aperture that is perpendicular to the guide direction for receiving a securing element for securing the rotor blade tip to the rotor blade. 
     
     
       7. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 1  wherein the rotor blade tip includes a connecting portion having an aerodynamic profile that has a pressure side and a suction side, wherein the first guide means, the first locking means, and the first connecting surface are located on the connecting portion, and wherein the rotor blade tip includes an end portion that narrows to a point at an end of the end portion, and wherein the end portion rises out of a plane defined by a surface of the connecting portion and is rotated along a central axis between about 4° and 8°. 
     
     
       8. The rotor blade tip according to  claim 1  wherein the rotor blade tip includes a hollow metal material. 
     
     
       9. A wind power installation comprising:
 a rotor; and 
 at least one rotor blade having a first end coupled to the rotor and a second opposite end; and 
 a rotor blade tip according to  claim 1  coupled to the second end of the at least one rotor blade. 
 
     
     
       10. A rotor blade for a wind power installation, the rotor blade comprising:
 a rotor blade body having a first end and a second opposite end, the rotor blade body having an aerodynamic profile having a pressure side and a suction side, a rotor blade root located at a first end of the rotor blade body, the second end including a body guide element and a body locking element; and 
 a rotor blade tip including a tip guide element extending in a guide direction and configured to mate with the body guide element of the rotor blade body, and a tip locking element that is configured to align with the body locking element and removably secure the rotor blade tip to the rotor blade body, wherein the body locking element includes a lock member that is configured to releasably engage with an opening of the tip locking element of the rotor blade tip thereby removably securing the rotor blade tip to the rotor blade body. 
 
     
     
       11. The rotor blade according to  claim 10  wherein the body guide element includes an aperture arranged parallel to the guide direction and is configured to receive the tip guide element of the rotor blade tip. 
     
     
       12. The rotor blade according to  claim 10  wherein the lock member is moveably fixed to the rotor blade body and is biased to engage with the opening of the tip locking element. 
     
     
       13. The rotor blade according to  claim 11  wherein the lock member has a lock element having a shape that corresponds to a shape of an opening in the tip locking element of the rotor blade tip. 
     
     
       14. The rotor blade according to  claim 13  wherein the lock member has an aperture perpendicular to the guide direction for receiving the lock element. 
     
     
       15. The rotor blade according to  claim 10  wherein the rotor blade comprises glass fiber-reinforced plastic and further comprising conductive elements that are integrated as lightening conductors in the rotor blade.